Stallion, banking on a brilliant performance in the first 45 minutes, survived a resilient Kaya side, 3-2, Tuesday night to extend its lead at the top of the United Football League to five points at Emperador Stadium.

The UFL Cup champions scored all of their goals in the first half, before Kaya pounced on some poor defending to score two goals and set the stage for a thrilling finish.

Rufo Sanchez, Lee Joo-young and Jeremy Hohn were all on target for Stallion in a dominant performance by coach Ernie Nierras’ side in the first 45 minutes.

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The win boosted Stallion’s tally to 36 points, five ahead of Global, which has a game in hand, while Kaya remained at fifth with just 18 points that leaves them mathematically out of the title race.

With Balot Doctora back in harness after a long injury layoff and Diego Barrera pulling strings at midfield, Stallion moved the ball quickly and incisively, exploiting the new defensive partnership of Fabien Lewis and Dario Dakic.

But Anton del Rosario and Janrick Soriano gave last year’s runner-up some attacking verve and dynamism that almost left Stallion undone.